Equalizing-valve.



1.1. NIVEN.

EQUALIZING VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.21. 1914.

1,142,117. Patented June 8,1915.

l1 la 5| r 1 I? 4. I} 7' I J! I Snow wow Jmes eZ'ZYZ'ven qxmmmo JAMES NIVEN, OF IPHILAIDELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

EQUALIZING-VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1915.

Application filed April 27, 1914. Serial No. 834,863.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES J. NIVEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Equalizing-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in equalizing valves, the object of the invention being to provide a valve for equalizing the pressure in the sight glass of a low pressure steam boiler, so that the glass will accurately indicate the level of water in the boiler.

It is a well known fact that frequently there is an inequality in the pressure of the boiler and the sight glass, so that the glass does not properly record the level of water. This is due to the fact that there is an absence of air in the system. For example, when the fire goes out, the system falls below atmospheric pressure and when the steam is generated, it will exert a pressure upon the liquid in the sight tube to force the latter downwardly below the normal water level.

It is the purpose of my improved equalizing valve to overcome any such imperfect operation and to insure a perfect reading of the sight glass at all times.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in elevation illustrating my improved equalizing valve in connection with an ordinary type of steam boiler, such as used for house heating and the like. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section through my improved equalizing valve, and Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

1 represents a steam boiler, 2 are steam pipes for conveying the steam to radiators in the building.

3 are branch pipes connected with the steam pipes 2, and with these branch pipes, my improved equalizing valve 4 is connected by means of a T-coupling 5.

At one side of the boiler 1, a sight glass 6 is located and connected by pipes 7 and 8 with the boiler so as to permit a communication with the latter and indicate in the glass tube, the level of water in the boiler.

My invention is not limited to any particular type of sight glass, and I preferably use any ordinary construction in common use. I have indicated on the upper tube 7, a pressure gage 9, but this, of course, forms no part of mv invention.

My improved equalizing valve comprises a cylindrical casing 10 having a screwthreaded nipple 11 at its lower end for engagement with the T-cou-pling 5, so as to support the valve casing in a vertical position.

12 is a plug which is screwed into the upper end of the valve casing, and is steam and air tight. In the valve casing, I locate a hollow float 13 which is preferably of relatively thin metal conforming in shape to the shape of the cylinder, closed at its upper end as shown at 14, and open at its lower end, so that its interior is open to communication with the system.

The casing 10 is provided with internally screw-threaded valve casings 15 in which ball valves 16 are located. Plugs 17 are screwed into the valve casings and have curved valve seats 18 at their inner ends, and are provided with longitudinal air inlet passages 19. The balls 16 project through openings 20 in casing 10, and are engaged by the float 13. The float has an annular curved portion 21 which constitutes a cam surface, so that the longitudinal movement of the float controls the position of the balls. In Fig. 2, the movement is illustrated in a somewhat exaggerated form, and it is to be understood that a very slight movement of the float gives to the balls a sufficient movement to open and close the passages 19. The cam portion 21 is so shaped that when the float falls, the balls can move away from the inner passages 19 and allow air to enter the casing around the outside of the float and pass downwardly into the boiler. When the float is elevated, this cam portion moves the balls back and closes the air inlet ports. The balls are in constant engagement with the walls of the hollow float and are controlled by the movement of the float either to permit the balls to open or to move them to closed position.

The operation is as follows: When the pressure in the boiler falls below normal, the float 13 will drop and the balls 16 will be moved away from the ends of passages 19, and air will be drawn into the boiler through the passages 19, openings 20, and

as described.

around the outside of float 13. When the a hollow float in the casing having a closed steam pressure rises, the steam will cause upper end and an open lower end, air inlets the float to move upwardly and at the same in the sides of the casing, balls controlling time will exert an internal pressure in the said, inlets, and said float directly engaging float, so that while the balls are moved back and adapted to move the balls, substantially to closed position, the float will also be eX- as described. 7 panded so that it snugly fits the inside of 3. An equalizing valve of the character the casing and forms a steam tight joint. described, comprising a casing constructed The operation of the valve is entirely auat its lower end for attachment to a boiler, a tomatic' and prevents any possibility of the hollow float in the casing having a closed pressure decreasing to such a point as to upper end and an open lower end, valve cause the sight valve to open in anything casings on the sides of the first-mentioned but a correct mannen WVhen my improved casing having openings therein communivalve is in position, the pressure is always eating with the interior of the first-men equalized, so that the sight tube will alwayKtioned casing, plugs screwed into the valve record the pressure level of water. casings and having air passages there- Various slight changes might be made through, balls in said openings adapted to in the general form and arrangement of close the air passages, and said float having parts described without departing from my a surface adapted to contact with the balls invention, and hence I do not limit myself and controlling the movement of the balls to the precise details set forth, but consider by the vertical movement of the float, submyself at liberty to make such changes and stantially as described. 7 alterations as fairly iall withinthe spirit 4. An equalizing valve of the character and scope of the appended claims.- de'scribed, comprising a casing having a Having thus described my invention, screw-threaded nipple at its lower end; a

*what I claim as new and desire to secure plug screwed into the upper end of the casby Letters Patent is:

1; An equalizing valve of the character described,- comprising a casing constructed and valves in the sides of the casing diat its lower end for attachment to a boiler, rectly engaged by and controlled by the a hollow float in the casing having a closed float, substantially as described; upper end and an open lower end, and air In testimony whereof I have signed my inlet valves in the sides of the casing directly engaged by the float and controlled by the movement of the float, substantially ing, a hollow float in the casing having a two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES J NIV EN. VVitnes'se's M. E. DITTUS, CHAS. l]. Po'r'rs.

2. An equalizing valve of the character described, comp'rlsing a casing constructed at its lower end for attachment to a boiler,

Copies of; this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

closed upper end, and an open lower end, M

name to this specification in the presence of 

